School Rules

Absence

All absences from school must be covered by a phone call or an email relating to the site the student is based on i.e. Years 7 - 9 loweroffice@ccgrammarschool.co.uk, Years 10 & 11 upperoffice@ccgrammarschool.co.uk on the first day of absence followed by a letter on return to school or for the 6th Form nrichardson@ccgrammarschool.co.uk. The Lower and Upper School will contact parents from 9.00am onwards via telephone or text when registers have closed, for an absence that has not been notified. Failure to provide an explanation for an absence will result in the absence being recorded as unauthorised.

Medical and dental appointments during school time should be kept to a minimum.

Students are responsible for keeping up-to-date with work and it is their responsibility to check what work has been missed during an absence. If students are likely to be absent for more than one week and are able to do work at home, the school will provide work on request. However, it is important that the student feels able to do the work as we would prefer they concentrated on recovering so they return as quickly as possible rather than doing school work! Staff will always provide help when students return to school.

Parents must note that holidays cannot normally be taken in term time, and that permission cannot normally be granted for such absences. Parents who take unauthorised holidays may be fined by the Educational Welfare Service. In the exceptional case of permission being granted for holiday leave, students must see all their teachers, before they go on holiday, to find out what topics will be covered in their absence and ensure they complete any work required before they return to school.

Behaviour

Students are to behave at all times in an acceptable and responsible manner according to the Behaviour Code.

On Site

Students must WALKand KEEP TO THE LEFT in the corridors when in the school buildings and take due care with their bags.

Students are not to enter classrooms, laboratories, changing rooms or the Assembly Hall (Lower School) without permission from an appropriate member of staff (or when the ‘wet weather’ programme is in operation and the duty prefect is present).

The Lower School car parks are out of bounds to all students (unless a bicycle or moped is being parked).

Lower and Upper School students must not leave the school premises during morning or afternoon school except on the authority of the Deputy Headteacher, Assistant Headteacher, Senior Tutor or appropriate Head of House. When given permission they must use the signing in and out book held at Reception before they leave and if they return.

Upper School studetns walking between sites should only use the STATED route.

Dress

All students should take a pride in their appearance and conform to and wear the uniform/dress code at all times. If for any reason, this is not possible, a note of explanation should be provided by their parent or carer. Without an explanation the student may be required to wear items from the school’s uniform stock until they conform to the school uniform/dress code.

Food

Eating of food/drink when on school premises must only take place in the Dining Hall, Canteen, and in a designated dining area i.e. picnic tables or 6th Form common room. ALL litter should be disposed in the correct recycling bin.

Valuables, Lost Property and Security

Valuable items should not be brought into school. It is the student’s responsibility to look after their belongings and not leave items lying around. The school cannot be held responsible for any items lost, stolen or broken.

All payments for the school e.g. money for a school trip must be handed in as soon as possible.

IPods, MP3 players, hand held game devices etc. must not be used by any student in the Lower and Upper School the school can accept no responsibility for them.

If a student must bring a mobile phone into the Lower School it is the student’s responsibility at all times and must be kept out of sight AND switched off. If a student is caught using one without the specific permission of a member of staff, then the piece of equipment will be confiscated and handed to the Head of House and it will not be returned until contact is made from parents/carers requesting its return. The student should expect this to be recorded on SIMs and an appropriaate sanction given. In the case of a 6th Form student it will be handed to the Head of 6th Form or Senior Tutor with whom you will need to negotiate its return. In an emergency students can use the school phone in the office to contact parents or carers. On the Upper School site students are only permitted to use their mobile phone until the warning bell sounds before registration, at break and lunchtime. At all other times the phone MUST be switched off and out of sight. Phones CANNOT be used between or during lessons. Headphones should not be worn. The phone remains the responsibility of the student at all times.

Jewellery items should only be worn as allowed in the uniform code. If a member of staff confiscates items of jewellery the student will need to negotiate the terms of return with their Head of House or Senior Tutor. For Lower School students the items will be handed to the Head of House or Senior Tutor. For Upper School students they will be handed to reception and only be returned with Head of House permission. For 6th Form students they will be handed to the Head of 6th Form or Senior Tutor.

All property should be named clearly and students should have a sturdy bag for school that will protect work and textbooks from damage. Lost property can only be returned if the item is named. All unclaimed items will be disposed of at the end of each term.

For personal and site safety although most people are trustworthy and honest, sadly some are not. If a stranger is seen around the school or when walking between sites who looks suspicious, tell a member of staff.

Students should not speak to strangers on the way to or from school.

When using the Internet, students should NEVER give away information about themselves, or arrange to meet with someone they have met in a chat room.

Illness and Accidents

If a student feels unwell in a lesson or has an accident at school, they should tell their teacher or report to the school office (for theUpper School site ONLY the student must obtain a permission slip from the teacher before reporting to the school office). The office will refer the student to a first aider. If necessary a parent or carer will be contacted to arrange for the student to be collected as soon as possible. The student must not make their own arrangements to go home. A member of staff will make the arrangements if a student is deemed not well enough to remain in school.

If a student needs to take medication during the school day, it must be left with the school’s first aider. It MUST NOT be carried around.

Damage

Damage to school property is to be reported as soon as possible to the Site Manager and the school office.

Cycles

Cyclists are to walk whilst in the school premises.

Cyclists should wear a safety helmet.

Cycles should be padlocked in the designated areas and are left entirely at the student’s own risk. Cycles remain the responsibility of the student and the school cannot accept any responsibility for cycles which may become lost, stolen or damaged.

Health & Safety

We all have a responsibility towards those around us and ourselves to ensure that we all remain safe in the school environment.

If you see anything that could be a danger to other people, report it immediately to a member of staff.

Students are forbidden to smoke (including e-cigarettes or similar) or drink alcohol and energy drinks on the school premises or grounds, or on the way to and from school. It is also forbidden to bring cigarettes, e-cigarettes, matches, tobacco or lighters onto the school premises or grounds or on the way to and from school. Students caught smoking on or in the vicinity of the school sites or on the way to and from school can expect to be excluded.

If any student brings illegal substances onto the school premises or is found to be carrying illegal substances on the way to or from school, the police will be contacted.

If any student brings offensive weapons (e.g. knives, illegal/offensive or sharp dangerous objects, fireworks etc.) into school, or is found to be carrying them, the police will be contacted. The student can also expect to be excluded.

Never wilfully misuse equipment, or tamper with things provided for safety purposes – such as fire extinguishers or fire alarms.

If you see a fire, set off the nearest fire alarm and exit the building as quickly and safely as possible. Do not stop to collect your belongings.

Make sure you know where the fire exits are and how to use them.

Bullying

Students who feel they are the victim of any form of bullying should seek help from any member of staff, all of whom have instructions to bring such cases first to the attention of the Form Tutor, then the Head of House, then the Senior Tutor and finally the Deputy Headteacher.

A student’s Form Tutor is always willing to listen to them. There is also a school counsellor who you can meet to discuss any personal problems they may have. If any student would like to see someone, they should see their Head of House or for 6th formers speak with the Head of 6th Form, Senior Tutor or 6th Form Manager. The School Nurse can be contacted by phone. You will find more information about the School Nurse Service on the notice boards around the school or ask at Reception.

Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff and volunteers are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check